Quote:
Originally Posted by Bezer
Send him to the O and let him get some games then bring him up to the Flames after the junior season is done.
But if that doesn't happen I am okay with it. I am sure management knows what's best.
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It is an interesting conversation though. The way I see it if the flames feel he should play in at least a couple of games this season there is two ways it could work out.
Option A:
Flames take seven days till he is cleared to play on the 21st, Sam is sent down for a 2 week conditioning stint and plays in Addy until trade deadline day or the two week stint is up. Because they active roster limit is lifted on deadline day the Flames are free to call him up without sending someone down, get him in some games and evaluate from there.
Option B:
Flames ultimately decide Sam is better off in junior for now whether it is before or after a conditioning stint in the A. Sam goes back to Kingston for their playoff drive and Kingston makes the playoffs. Now Kingston is currently in 7th in the East, 13 points out of fourth so they will most likely meet one of the the better teams in the OHL's eastern conference. This could lead to a first round exit just due to the competition they're facing. Last year the OHL's first round ended 15 days after the last regular season game. With the regular season ending on Mar. 22 this year that means assuming Kingston doesn't make it past the first round Sam would be available for call up between April 1st if they are swept or April 6th if the go to 7 games. That leaves a max of 5 regular season games Sam could get into if he goes back to the OHL.
I feel like just due to the way dates and schedules would work out that if the Flames feel he should finish his season in the NHL it would be best if he doesn't go back to the OHL. I guess the Flames situation at the end of the season will also play a big role in it, but I don't think its a recipe for success if he plays his first games right at the end of the season when we will hopefully be right in the final push of our playoff push.